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Neuralgias of the Head: Occipital Neuralgia

Occipital neuralgia is defined by the International Headache Society as paroxysmal shooting or stabbing pain in the dermatomes of the greater or lesser occipital nerve. Various treatment methods exist, from medical treatment to open surgical procedures. Local injection with corticosteroid can improve symptoms, though generally only temporarily. More invasive procedures can be considered for cases that do not respond adequately to medical therapies or repeated injections. Radiofrequency lesioning of the greater occipital nerve can relieve symptoms, but there is a tendency for the pain to recur during follow-up. There also remains a substantial group of intractable patients that do not benefit from local injections and conventional procedures. Moreover, treatment of occipital neuralgia is sometimes challenging. More invasive procedures, such as C2 gangliotomy, C2 ganglionectomy, C2 to C3 rhizotomy, C2 to C3 root decompression, neurectomy, and neurolysis with or without sectioning of the inferior oblique muscle, are now rarely performed for medically refractory patients. Recently, a few reports have described positive results following peripheral nerve stimulation of the greater or lesser occipital nerve. Although this procedure is less invasive, the significance of the results is hampered by the small sample size and the lack of long-term data. Clinicians should always remember that destructive procedures carry grave risks: once an anatomic structure is destroyed, it cannot be easily recovered, if at all, and with any destructive procedure there is always the risk of the development of painful neuroma or causalgia, conditions that may be even harder to control than the original complaint.

Keywords: Occipital Neuralgia; Third Occipital Nerve; Greater Occipital Nerve; Lesser Occipital Nerve; Cervicogenic Headache

Il Choi1 and Sang Ryong Jeon2

1Department of Neurological Surgery, Dongtan Sacred Heart Hospital, University of Hallym University, Hwaseong, Korea; 2Department of Neurological Surgery, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea

Received: 13 November 2015Accepted: 20 January 2016

Address for Correspondence:Sang Ryong Jeon, MD Department of Neurological Surgery, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan, College of Medicine, 88 Olympic-ro 43-gil, Songpa-gu, Seoul 05505, Korea E-mail: srjeon@amc.seoul.kr

http://dx.doi.org/10.3346/jkms.2016.31.4.479 • J Korean Med Sci 2016; 31: 479-488

INTRODUCTION

According to the definition of the International Headache Soci­ety (IHS), occipital neuralgia (ON), also known as C2 neuralgia, involves paroxysmal shooting or stabbing pain in the derma­tomes of the greater occipital nerve (GON or nervus occipitalis major) and the lesser occipital nerve (LON or nervus occipitalis minor). From an origin in the suboccipital region, the pain spre­ads throughout the vertex, particularly the upper neck, back of the head, and behind the eyes. The pain may be accompanied by hypesthesia or dysesthesia in the affected areas. The most common trigger is compression of the GON or LON (1), with the GON more frequently involved (90%) than the LON (10%) (2).

EPIDEMIOLOGY

ON is a well­known disorder, but its incidence remains to be accurately determined. A study in the Dutch general popula­tion reported a relatively low incidence of 3.2 per 100,000. Fe­male dominance was present but not significant, and no time and seasonal variation was found (3).

ETIOLOGY AND PATHOPHYSIOLOGY

Neuralgia is pain in one or more nerves caused by compression and/or irritation of peripheral nerve structures. In ON, irrita­tion of the GON and/or LON by chronically contracted muscles and spondylosis of the upper cervical spine is often implicated (4,5). In addition, compression from intra­ or extra cranial ves­sels, giant cell arteritis, callus formations after vertebral frac­tures, schwannomas, and other masses are rare causes of ON. The etiologies are summarized in Table 1.

CLINICAL PRESENTATION

Patients with ON suffer from a shooting or stabbing pain in the neck that radiates over the cranium. The pain is characterized as persistent, paroxysmally aggravating, and of variable distri­bution; can be perceived in the retro­orbital area due to the con­vergence of the C2 dorsal root and the nucleus trigeminus pars caudalis (6). Due to connections with the VIII, IX, and X cranial nerves and the cervical sympathicus, vision impairment/ocular pain (67%), tinnitus (33%), dizziness (50%), nausea (50%), and congested nose (17%) can also be present (7). On physical ex­

REVIEWNeuroscience

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amination, tenderness along the course of the GON and LON can be observed. Sometimes hypoesthesia or dysesthesia can occur. The pain is located in the occipital area and may spread toward the vertex. Though usually unilateral, it may be bilateral.

DIAGNOSTIC METHODS

According to the International Classification of Headache Dis­order (ICHD­II), ON belongs to the same family as cranial neu­ralgias, central and primary facial pain, and other headaches. The diagnostic criteria are as below: A. Paroxysmal stabbing pain, with or without persistent aching

between paroxysms, in the distribution of the greater, lesser, and/or third occipital nerve

B. Tenderness over the affected nerveC. Pain is eased temporarily by local anesthetic block of the nerve

Physical examinationAlong the course of the GON (over the occipital protuberance) and/or the LON (about 3 cm superomedially to the tip of the mastoid process), tenderness is detected by palpation (8). Tin­gling may be evoked by light pressure or percussion on the nerve (Tinel’s sign). When patients lie on a pillow and hyperextend or rotate their neck, pain can occur (“pillow sign”).

Imaging studiesMagnetic resonance imaging is the most important tool in the diagnosis of this disorder as it enables visualization of the sur­rounding cervical and occipital soft tissues. A simple X­ray is useful to rule out underlying pathologies, such as arthritis and craniocervical instability. A CT scan of the craniocervical junc­tion can reveal neoplastic or degenerative osseous pathology. Sometimes there may be a discrepancy between the radiologi­cal findings and the symptoms (9).

Diagnostic blockThe clinical presentation (i.e., tenderness over the occipital ner­ves) and a temporary improvement in the headache with a lo­cal anesthetic diagnostic block of the occipital nerve on the af­fected side confirm the diagnosis (1). Occipital nerve block, as well as an essential diagnostic tool, can also be a good treatment option for ON. Thus, the anatomy of the occipital nerve and the location of the exact target site are very important. Clinicians should keep in mind that occipital nerve block relief is not spe­cific for ON and that false­positive results occur with migraine and cluster headaches (7,10).

Anatomy of the occipital nerve

The GON is the largest pure sensory nerve in our body. The GON is the medial branch of the dorsal ramus of the C2 spinal nerve. The GON initially courses in a downward, lateral direction, makes the bend along the inferior oblique and is covered by the sple­nius capitis, the longissimus, and the semispinalis muscles. On rare occasions, the nerve travels intramuscularly within the in­ferior oblique muscle. The GON then turns upward and pierces the semispinalis capitis. Finally, it turns superolaterally to emerge into the scalp by piercing the aponeurotic fibrous attachment of the trapezius muscle and sternocleidomastoid muscle (SCM) to the superior nuchal line. At this exit site, the occipital artery and GON are closely associated. The GON splits and innervates the occipital skin (medial branches) and the region behind the pinna (lateral branches) immediately below the superior nu­chal line (11­14). The emergence point of the GON is at the semi­spinalis muscle at a point 3 cm below the occipital protuberance and 1.5 cm lateral to the midline (13,15). Anatomical variations of GON are occasionally found, particularly in the vertical axis (16,17). The C2 ramus could be compressed between the pos­terior arch of the C1 and the lamina of the C2, but the nerve is not especially vulnerable at this location (11). The LON originates from the dorsal ramus of the C2 and, oc­casionally, the C3. It ascends toward the occiput along the pos­terior border of the SCM. Near the cranium, it perforates the deep fascia and runs upward over the occiput, where it inner­vates the skin and communicates medially with the GON (18). Although there is some variability in the anatomy, the nerve mostly emerges from the posterior border of the SCM superior to the exit of the great auricular nerve. This point is approximate­ly 6­7 cm lateral from the midline and 4­6 cm caudal to a line connecting the lowest points of the external auditory canals (15).

1) The Cruveilhier plexus: the connection among the C1, C2, and C3 sensory branches (Fig. 1)

Hollinshead stated that “The upper parts of the back muscles in the cervical region are also supplied by direct twigs from the dorsal rami of the second and third cervical nerves, and by bran­ches that arise from the so­called posterior cervical plexus, a

Table 1. Known possible causes of irritation: vascular, neurogenic, muscular, and os-teogenic

Category Causes of irritation

Vascular • Irritation of the C1/C2 nerve roots by an aberrant branch of the posterior inferior cerebellar artery (69)

• Dural arteriovenous fistula at the cervical level (70)• Bleeding from a bulbocervical cavernomas (71)• Cervical intramedullar cavernous hemangioma (72)• Giant cell arteritis (73-75)• Fenestrated vertebra artery pressing on C1/C2 nerve roots (76)• Aberrant course of the vertebra artery (77)

Neurogenic • Schwannoma in the area of the craniocervical junction: schwan-noma of occipital nerve (78,79)

• C2 myelitis (80)• Multiple sclerosis (81)

Osteogenic • C1/C2 arthrosis, atlantodental sclerosis (82)• Hypermobile C1 posterior arch (83) • Cervical osteochondroma (84)• Osteolytic lesion of the cranium (85)• Exuberant callus formation after C1/C2 fracture (86)

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very simple series of loops between the first and second and the second and third dorsal rami, sometimes also with a loop to the fourth (19).” Articular branches of the C2­3 facet joint aris­ing from communicating branches between the third occipital nerve and C2 dorsal ramus have also been found (20). Neural interconnections, such as the Cruveilhier plexus, can affect the therapeutic results of cervical muscular and facet de­nervation procedures. Therefore, the anatomical variations in the craniocervical region, such as the Cruveilhier plexus, may result in resistant pain after partially destructive surgical proce­dures for ON (21).

2) The innervations of the C1, 2, and 3 nervesAlthough the C1 nerve is not thought to innervate a cutaneous tissue, it supplies some sensory innervations to deep somatic tissues in the suboccipital region, including the short muscles of the occipital triangle, through its dorsal ramus, and the SCM, trapezius, and atlanto­occipital joint, through its ventral ramus. In addition, the sinuvertebral nerve of C1 innervates the medi­an atlantoaxial joint, dura mater, and vertebral artery, in con­junction with the sinuvertebral nerves of the C2 and C3. The dorsal ramus of the C2 innervates the splenius capitis and semi­spinalis capitis and finally becomes the GON. The ventral ra­mus of the C2 supplies articular branches to the lateral C1/2 joint as well as the prevertebral muscles, SCM, and trapezius. The dorsal ramus of the C3 has three significant branches, the lateral, deep medial, and superficial medial branches. The lat­eral branch supplies the splenius capitis, cervicis, and longissi­mus capitis; the deep medial branch innervates the semispina­lis cervicis and multifidus; and the superficial medial branch innervates the semispinalis capitis. The superficial medial branch

is also known as the third occipital nerve, and innervates the C2­C3 zygapophyseal joint as well as the skin in the suboccipi­tal region (22). Cervicogenic headache, which involves pain re­ferral from cervical structures, appears to be produced by con­vergent excitation that is evoked by stimulation of these nerves and that results in excitation of second­order neurons in the tri­

Fig. 1. Anatomy around occipital nerve; Asan medical illustration team modified this figure with permission from Shane Tubbs (91).

Splenius capitis muscle

Greater occipital nerve

Lonqissimus capitis muscle

Superior oblique capitis muscle

Rectus capitis major muscle

Lesser occipital nerve

Cruveilhier plexus

Inferior oblique capitis muscle

Vertebral artery

Semispinalis capitis muscle

Third occipital nerve

Rectus capitis minor muscle

Fig. 2. Mechanism of cervicogenic headache: pain referred pain from cervical struc-tures due to convergence between trigeminal nerve and C1, 2, 3 verves in trigemino-cervical nucleus.

Midbrain

Pons

Trigeminothalamic tract

Trigeminocervical nucleus

Trigeminal nerve (V)

Spinal tract of trigeminal nerve

C1 spinal nerve

C2 spinal nerve

C3 spinal nerve

V1

V2

V3

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geminocervical complex (Fig. 2) (23,24).

Injection point (Fig. 3)

The injection points are variable. One of the points is located on a line that connects the middle of the ears, 3.18 cm from the mid­line. The other point is situated 3.8 cm lateral to the midline and one quarter of the distance along a line connecting the external occipital protuberance to the mastoid (or 2 cm lateral and 2 cm inferior to the external occipital protuberance). Some authors have described this point as being 1.5 cm lateral and 2 to 2.5 cm inferior to the external occipital protuberance (15­17,25­27). Great variability in the course of the GON is described in the lit­erature (18,25,27).

Differential diagnosesSeveral disorders share certain features with ON, such as pain in the posterior neck and head. It is therefore sometimes difficult to distinguish these disorders, unless additional features are seen. There are two important disease categories that clinicians should keep in mind. First, tumors, infections, and congenital anoma­lies (e.g., Arnold­Chiari malformation) should be distinguished. It is crucial to diagnose these disorders. If they are missed by cli­nicians, a devastating situation may result. ON can be mistaken

for migraine, cluster headache, tension headache, or hemicra­nia continua (28). ON must be distinguished from referred pain from the atlantoaxial or upper zygapophyseal joints or from trig­ger points in neck muscle or their insertions (cervicogenic head­ache) (23,24,28). The critical differential point is that ON is neu­ralgia from the occipital nerve, whereas cervicogenic headache is nociceptive referred pain from cervical structures.

TREATMENT OPTIONS

Since ON was first described in 1821, numerous causes have been suggested and a variety of interventions have been used in its treatment (29). Currently, there is still no clear consensus on the management of ON. Medication, physical therapy, mini­mal intervention, and aggressive surgery are applied step­by­step. Evidence for the success of this approach is relatively weak. In addition, well­designed studies have rarely been reported. Treatment methods include medication, nerve blocks and, in refractory cases, neurosurgical procedures. Education, patient support, and reassurance are also important components of treatment. Management of neuropathic pain, which can devel­op following long­standing ON, should address both the pain itself and the psychological aspects associated with it.

Fig. 3. Landmarks for injection of the occipital nerves and electrical stimulation; Rogier Trompert Medical Art, modified with permission from Vanelderen et al. (9).

Greater occipital nerve

Lesser occipital nerve

Injection point

Location of electrical rod

External occipital tubercle

Superior nuchal line

Inferior nuchal line

Mastoid process

2.0-2.5 cm

1.5-2.0 cm

6.0-7.0 cm

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Conservative managementConservative treatment includes posture correction and reduc­ing the neuralgic and muscle pain. Pharmacological treatment may include tricyclic antidepressants, serotonin reuptake in­hibitors, anticonvulsants (e.g., carbamazepine, oxycarbamaze­pine, gabapentin, pregabalin), and opioids. Nonsteroidal anti­inflammatory drugs and paracetamol tend to have transient ef­fects. The use of ergot derivatives is controversial. Infliximab has shown some benefit (9,30­32).

Interventional managementLocal anesthetic agent injection with or without steroid

Local anesthetic agent injection with steroid may be used for therapeutic purposes. This method usually has a transient ef­fect, but in some cases (15%­36%) the pain subsidence may be maintained for several months (2,7,33).

Botulinum toxin infiltrations

Several studies have shown an analgesic effect of Botulinum toxin A (BoNT­A) that outlasted the duration of its muscle relax­ant effect (1,34). A few theories have been proposed to explain this analgesic effect of the toxin (35­38). For instance, BoNT­A’s inhibitory effects on sensory nerve mediators like substance­P (36), calcitonin gene­related peptide (37), and glutamate (38) may be involved in pain relief. Botulinum toxin may directly in­hibit local neurogenic inflammation and indirectly inhibit cen­tral sensitization by significantly decreasing the activity of wide dynamic range neurons (38). Clinically, Botulinum toxin has

been successfully used to treat several different types of head­aches, including tension­type headaches (39), cervicogenic headaches (40), migraine (41), and chronic daily headaches (39). BoNT­A injection can relieve the sharp, shooting pain as­sociated with ON, though not dull, aching pain, and improve quality of life for several months (42,43). The studies conducted with Botulinum toxin are listed in Table 2.

Pulsed radiofrequency treatment

Pulsed radiofrequency (PRF) treatment is known to reduce pain, primarily by the induction of a low­intensity electrical field aro­und sensory nerves that results in depressed conduction and inhibition of long­term activation in the lightly myelinated A­delta fibers and the small unmyelinated C fibers (44). In animal studies, PRF­mediated pain relief is suggested to be due to mod­ulation of the descending noradrenergic and serotonergic path­ways (45). To date, a few reports have been published concerning PRF treatment of ON (Table 2). All reports were observational co­hort studies without controls. The treatment in these ON stud­ies showed short­term to intermediate­term pain control and the parameters used were: 40­60 V voltage output; 2 Hz frequen­cy; 20­ms pulses in a 1­second cycle, 120 seconds/cycle; 150­500 W impedance range; and 42°C plateau temperature. The authors advise that careful attention to selection criteria and treatment parameters may further improve treatment outcomes (46­49).

Table 2. Publications on the treatment of ON with Botulinum toxin injection, pulsed radiofrequency (PRF), and nerve neurolysis

Study Study designCase No.

Follow-up duration Outcome measure method Results

The treatment of ON with Botulinum toxin injectionTaylor et al. (42) 2008 Retrospective 6 12 wk VPAM Sharp/shooting pain significantly

improved; Dull aching pain not significantly improved

Kapural et al. (43) 2007 Case series 6 4 wk VASPDI

VAS 8.5 → 1PDI 56 → 17.5

Volcy et al. (87) 2006 A case report 1 N/A N/A Improved temporarilyThe treatment of ON with PRF

Huang et al. (48) 2012 Retrospective, multicenter

102 At least 3 mon ≥ 50% pain relief for at least 3 mon

51% positive result

Vanelderen et al. (49) 2010 Prospective 19 1, 2, and 6 mon VASLikert scale

52.6% significant improvement at 6 mon

Choi et al. (47) 2012 Retrospective 10 6-10 mon VAS, TPI All patients improvedThe treatment of ON with nerve neurolysis

Ducic et al. (54) 2008 Retrospective 206 Minimal, 12 mon ≥ 50% pain relief 80.5% positive resultGille et al. (52) 2004 Retrospective 10 Mean, 37 mon

(33-43)1) VAS2) Consumption of analgesics3) Patient satisfaction

1) 80/100 → 20/1002) Decrease in all3) Satisfaction in all

Magnússon et al. (5) 1996 Retrospective 18 Mean, 28.7 mon (12-38)

NRS relief> 75%: excellent50%-74%: good25%-49%: fair< 24%: poor

88.9% better than fair

ON, occipital neuralgia; No., number; VPAM, visual analog pain and medication use diary; VAS, visual analog scale; PDI, pain disability index; N/A, not available; PRF, pulsed ra-diofrequency; TPI, total pain index; NRS, numerical rating scale.

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SurgerySurgical treatment of ON can be considered when a patient does not respond adequately to medical therapies, such as repeated injections, or minimally invasive procedures, such as PRF treat­ment. Neurolysis of the occipital nerve (with or without section­ing of the inferior oblique muscle), C2 gangliotomy, C2 ganglio­nectomy, C2 to C3 rhizotomy, C2 to C3 root decompression, and neurectomy were historically introduced for medically re­fractory patients (5,50­57). However, the results were variable. Recently, there have been a few positive reports on peripheral nerve stimulation, a less invasive surgery, of the GON or LON. Of these approaches, both occipital neurolysis and occipital nerve stimulation (ONS) have been used commonly in the clini­cal field, recently. In selective cases, these methods have shown good outcomes, but a well­designed randomization study with a long­term observation is not yet available. Clinicians should bear in mind the risk that destructive procedures carry, which include the possibility of the development of painful neuroma or causalgia, conditions that may be even harder to control than the original complaint (58).

Neurolysis

Entrapment of the GON in its peripheral course is a significant pathology in ON. Five potential sources of entrapment of the GON are suggested: C2 nerve root (rare), inferior oblique mus­cle (rare), within the semispinalis capitis muscle, within the tra­pezius muscle/aponeurotic tendon, and angiolymphatics (oc­cipital artery/vein crosses the GON; lymph node presence, with­in or distal to the trapezial tunnel) (54). Neurolysis of the GON appears to provide safe, durable pain relief in selected patients with chronic headaches caused by

ON (Table 2). Factors correlated with a positive outcome in­clude tenderness over the GON, a positive response to GON block or Botox, a history of direct occipital trauma, and preop­eratively being under the care of a neurologist or pain specialist (54). Sectioning of the inferior oblique muscle is reported to be effective when occipital pain is exacerbated or triggered by flex­ion of the cervical spine (52). However, cervicogenic headache is a contraindication of neurolysis (51). Careful preoperative di­agnosis is needed.

Occipital nerve stimulation

Recently, successful results with ONS have been reported in the management of intractable headaches (Table 3), including cer­vicogenic headache, ON, transformed migraine, hemicrania continua, and cluster headaches. This stimulation technique involves the subcutaneous insertion of electrodes in the C1­C2 region of the posterior cervical spine (Fig. 3). Convergence of afferents from C1­C3 cervical nerves with trigeminal afferents is explained as the cause of the cervicogenic headache that re­sults from activation of these nerves (59). The pain control mech­anism of ONS is similar to that of gait control theory, consid­ered in other peripheral nerve stimulation (58). As opposed to destructive surgery, ONS is fully reversible. If the patient does not want to use stimulation, it is easy to stop the stimulation and the device can be removed with a simple procedure.

Other destructive surgeries

The approach to patients with ON must initially be conserva­tive. Although C2 gangliotomy, C2 ganglionectomy, C2 to C3 rhizotomy, C2 to C3 root decompression, and distal neurecto­my have been tried historically for intractable cases, these kinds

Table 3. Summary of noteworthy articles on ONS for ON

Study Study design No. Follow-up duration Outcome measure method Results Lead type used

Picaza et al. (88) 1977 Retrospective 6 12-46 mon N/A 3/6, good to excellent N/AWeiner et al. (64) 1999 Retrospective 13 (1.5-6 yr) > 50% pain relief 92% positive result Cylinder typeOh et al. (66) 2004 (paddle) Retrospective 20 (10 ON,

10 migraine)1-6 mon > 50% pain relief 1 mon 100% (20/20)

6 mon 94% (17/18)Paddle type

Kapural et al. (67) 2005 Retrospective 6 3 mon VASPDI

VAS 8 → 2PDI 48 → 14

Paddle type

Rodrigo-Royo et al. (89) 2005 Retrospective 4 4-16 mon 50% pain reduction Improved in all Cylinder typeSlavin et al. (58) 2006 Retrospective 14 Mean 22 mon (5-32 mon) VAS 50% reduction 70% positive Cylinder typeJohnstone and Sundaraj (65) 2006 Retrospective 7 Mean 25 mon (6-47 mon) VAS 50% reduction

Opioid doses5/7 (71%) positiveReduction in all cases

Paddle type

ONS, occipital nerve stimulation; ON, occipital neuralgia; No., number; N/A, not available; VAS, visual analog scale; PDI, pain disability index.

Table 4. Summary of noteworthy articles on destructive surgery for ON

Study Study design Surgical method No. Follow-up duration Outcome measure method Results

Sharma et al. (90) 2005 Retrospective Neurectomy 22 6 wk18 mon

Pain relief Relief in 90%Relief in 70%

Dubuisson (21) 1995 Retrospective Rhizotomy at C1-3 14 33 mon (3-66) > 50% pain reduction 71% positive resultWang and Levi (56) 2002 A case report Ganglionectomy of C2 1 N/A N/A Pain relief (+)

ON, occipital neuralgia; No., number; N/A, not available.

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of destructive surgeries risk the development of painful neuro­ma, causalgia, or intractable neuropathic pain, and thus their use is decreasing. The studies conducted with destructive sur­geries are listed in Table 4.

POTENTIAL COMPLICATIONS AND RED FLAGS

Complications of interventional managementInfection or bleeding may result from any percutaneous tech­nique, though these are usually minor problems. A case of sud­den unconsciousness due to inadvertent subarachnoid injection in a patient with a craniotomy defect has been reported (60). Temporary dizziness, injection site soreness, focal alopecia, and paresthesia due to nerve injury should be anticipated (61­63).

Complications of ONSPoor outcomes after electrode implantation are a common prob­lem that has been reported following up to 30% of implanta­tions. Therefore, a test stimulation before permanent implanta­tion is recommended in many studies. Permanent implanta­tion is usually recommended when 50% pain reduction occurs on test stimulation. Lead migration (4%, 2/54) and postsurgical infection (12%, 6/50) are relatively common and well­known complications. Fracture and disconnection of the lead (2%, 1/50) and implant­

related allergic reactions (3%, 1/37) can occur, though rarely (58,64­68).

CONCLUSION

Occipital neuralgia is defined by the IHS as paroxysmal shoot­ing or stabbing pain in the dermatomes of the GON or LON (1). The GON is the medial branch of the dorsal ramus of the C2 spinal nerve. The GON initially courses in a downward, lateral direction, makes the bend along the inferior oblique and is cov­ered by the splenius capitis, the longissimus, and the semispi­nalis muscles. The GON then turns upward and pierces the semispinalis capitis. Finally, it turns superolaterally to emerge into the scalp by piercing the aponeurotic fibrous attachment of the trapezius muscle and SCM to the superior nuchal line (11­13). On diagnosis, tumors, infections, vascular problems (e.g., posterior circulation hemorrhage or infarction), and con­genital anomalies (e.g., Arnold­Chiari malformation) should be ruled out first. Various treatment methods exist, from medical treatment to open surgical procedures. Clinicians should always remember that destructive proce­dures carry grave risks: once an anatomic structure is destroyed, it cannot be easily recovered, if at all, and with any destructive procedure there is always the risk of the development of painful neuroma or causalgia, conditions that may be even harder to control than the original complaint (58). The treatment of ON should be performed through adequate algorithm (Fig. 4).

ACKNOWLEDGMENT

The authors thank Dr. Young hee Baek for helpful advice on this article, and Il Hee So, Eui Soo Shin, Yeon Mi Kim, and Eugene Jung of Asan Medical Library for their efforts in data collection.

DISCLOSURE

The authors have no potential conflicts of interest to disclose.

AUTHOR CONTRIBUTION

Conception and design: Jeon SR, Choi I. Acquisition of data: Choi I. Analysis and interpretation of data: Choi I. Drafting the article: Choi I. Critically revising the article: Jeon SR, Choi I. Re­viewed submitted version of manuscript: Jeon SR, Choi I. Sta­tistical analysis: Choi I. Administrative/technical/material sup­port: Jeon SR. Study supervision: Jeon SR. Approval of the final manuscript on behalf of all authors: Jeon SR.

ORCID

Il Choi http://orcid.org/0000­0003­0120­6564 Fig. 4. Treatment algorithm for ON.

Diagnosis of ON: Tenderness (+) on GON or LON Diagnostic block effect (+)Rule out other causes of headache: Tumor, vascular and congenital anomalies

Medical treatment, physical therapy, bio-feedback therapy, or lifestyle modification

Consider intervention therapy for medical refractory cases: Corticosteroid or Botulinum toxin injection or PRF treatment

Consider surgical treatment for intractable cases: occipital nerve stimulation, neurolysis, or other destructive surgeries

Choi I, et al. • Occipital Neuralgia

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Sang Ryong Jeon http://orcid.org/0000­0002­8340­7978

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